EAST LANSING, Mich. – In a Labor Day battle, Michigan State men’s soccer was edged by No. 5 Oregon State, 2-1, at a packed DeMartin Stadium on Monday.
“To be honest, I just told the guys to keep the faith,” Rensing said. “I mean they played really well today. That’s a team that made the Final Four, and other than the two goals, I am hard pressed to find a really dangerous chance they got. I felt we were all over them, and it was an awesome place at DeMartin. I just want to thank the 2500 or so fans that were out there for a Labor Day game. I think if we just keep the faith, the goals will come.”
With the loss, the Spartans fall to 1-2-1 this season, while the Beavers improve to 2-1-1.
Oregon State wasted no time getting on the board when Arnau Farnos blasted a shot from distance off the assist from Ellis Spikner in the eighth minute.
After the early goal, the Spartans settled down and did not give up too many chances to OSU for the rest of the half. At the end of the first half, MSU had out-shot OSU 6-4.
The Spartans came out hot in the second half. Freshman forward Mohamed Saad scored his first collegiate goal in the 46th minute. Off of a Beaver turnover, Saad beat Oregon State goalkeeper John Nicolson one-on-one to tie the score at 1-1.
“I am happy for Big Mo. He’s been great, he comes in, he runs, he puts pressure on the backline. He’s had a few other good chances, and it’s good to see him get that one under his belt. Hopefully the first of many in his MSU career,” Rensing said.
In the 68th minute, Farnos struck again with another long distance shot beating a diving MSU goalkeeper Zac Kelly.
In the waning minutes of the game, Michigan State didn’t give up. In the 84th minute, junior midfielder Jack Guggemos blast was saved by Nicolson. Moments later the rebound shot from junior midfielder Jonathan Stout was saved by a Beaver defender to keep the Spartans from equalizing.
The Spartans conclude their four-game homestand against Air Force on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
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